Arsene Wenger delighted with Arsenal's mental strength in win over Saints
Sunday 8 April 2018 17:49, UK
Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal's strength in character to beat Southampton 3-2 in a topsy-turvy game on Super Sunday.
Goals from Danny Welbeck (two) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal all three points, but they had to fight back from a goal down, and also grab a late winner after Southampton looked to have stolen a point.
Wenger noted that Arsenal started slow at the Emirates, but said their mental resources made the difference.
He told Sky Sports: "When you play every three days it is difficult to get into the pace of the game, and when you look at the game today, we were twice in difficult situations at 1-0 down and at 2-2, and again we found the response to win the game.
"It shows we have the resources, and the spirit especially I would say, that even when the legs don't respond as much as you want, we have the mental resources still to win the game."
The Emirates was again around 70 per cent full, despite the official attendance showing a full house for tickets sold, but Wenger praised the fans for getting behind them as the game became more entertaining.
"That's down to us," he said. "At the start of the game I think people were impatient because we played against a very good team, but at the end of the game when it became more lively the team stood behind the team.
"We want to win every game, we believe every win makes you stronger, and the team knows that as well.
"When you come to the Emirates you see football and you see goals. Recently we have scored a minimum of three goals, you see good goals, and that what you want to give to your fans."
Wenger also praised Welbeck for his double and man-of-the-match display, insisting that when fit, the striker will regularly put in these types of performances.
"He made an outstanding contribution today," Wenger added. "That shows when Danny is fit, and can play week in, week out, he comes back to his level. That's what I said many times, and I'm happy he shows it."
